Barnstable

Town and administrative headquarters of Barnstable County, southeastern Massachusetts, on Cape Cod; population (1998 est) 19,200. It includes several other municipalities. The area became an important shipping centre in the 1840s but is now primarily a summer resort. Tourism began as early as 1854, with the railway bringing access to the town. Economic activity includes fishing, oyster culture, and cranberry cultivation and canning.

There is an extensive waterfront both on Cape Cod Bay and on Nantucket Sound. Barnstable is the largest settlement on Cape Cod. Hyannis is the commercial centre, with an airport, and access by ferry to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket islands. Hyannis also houses the John F Kennedy museum, celebrating the President's association with the region. Hyannis Port contains the Kennedy compound, which consists of several houses used by the political family during the summer. Cape Cod Community College (1961) is in West Barnstable.

Cummaquid, West Barnstable, Hyannis, Hyannis Port, West Hyannis Port, Craigville, Centerville, Osterville, Wiano, Marston Mills, Santuit, Cotuit Heights, and Cotuit all form part of Barnstable.